Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. 20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
Reflection: In the midst of teaching the Pharisees, Jesus is interrupted by a leader who approaches him in faith and humility. His 12 year old daughter has just died and he trusts in Jesus alone to heal. While on the way with his disciples, who will be learning in the school of life with Jesus, a woman comes to him with a bleeding disease. Because of the nature of her disease it would have taken her a lot do courage to come to Jesus publicly with this request. And her faith is so significant she maintains that if she can just touch the outermost hem of his garment she will be healed. Jesus recognizes her faith and heals her instantly. Notice her cure is not only of body but soul, as her faith has healed her in both ways. When Jesus comes to heal ultimately the greatest gift he gives is the faith to believe that He is the Son of God. All his healing was to the end that people might recognize who He is and come to him for ultimately healing from sin.
Jesus then enters the ruler's home with all the fanfare of those offering their condolences within the Jewish tradition. As Jesus proclaims that she is not dead they laugh at him. Clearly their intent could be questioned at this point. We see again the calibration for Jesus of his words and works. Clearly since the overarching theme in Matthew is what the kingdom of heaven looks like, we see that it is about teaching the kingdom and then living into it. In the Church today we feel more comfortable teaching about the kingdom, but not as much living to out for the world to see. This causes our Gospel to be intellectual rather than holistic. It relegates the Gospel to abstract concepts versus the way, the truth and the life, which Jesus modeled in his ministry and gave the disciples the power to live out as well.
Where have you experienced the power of the kingdom, coming on earth as it is in heaven? God's kingdom will come without our asking for it, but the question is do we expect to be part of it. That is another aspect of faith that needs our attention today.
Jesus thank you for giving us the power of operating in Your kingdom through Your Holy Spirit. Keep us open to what you want to do today for your glory and to bring faith through these signs of healing. Amen.
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. 20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
Reflection: In the midst of teaching the Pharisees, Jesus is interrupted by a leader who approaches him in faith and humility. His 12 year old daughter has just died and he trusts in Jesus alone to heal. While on the way with his disciples, who will be learning in the school of life with Jesus, a woman comes to him with a bleeding disease. Because of the nature of her disease it would have taken her a lot do courage to come to Jesus publicly with this request. And her faith is so significant she maintains that if she can just touch the outermost hem of his garment she will be healed. Jesus recognizes her faith and heals her instantly. Notice her cure is not only of body but soul, as her faith has healed her in both ways. When Jesus comes to heal ultimately the greatest gift he gives is the faith to believe that He is the Son of God. All his healing was to the end that people might recognize who He is and come to him for ultimately healing from sin.
Jesus then enters the ruler's home with all the fanfare of those offering their condolences within the Jewish tradition. As Jesus proclaims that she is not dead they laugh at him. Clearly their intent could be questioned at this point. We see again the calibration for Jesus of his words and works. Clearly since the overarching theme in Matthew is what the kingdom of heaven looks like, we see that it is about teaching the kingdom and then living into it. In the Church today we feel more comfortable teaching about the kingdom, but not as much living to out for the world to see. This causes our Gospel to be intellectual rather than holistic. It relegates the Gospel to abstract concepts versus the way, the truth and the life, which Jesus modeled in his ministry and gave the disciples the power to live out as well.
Where have you experienced the power of the kingdom, coming on earth as it is in heaven? God's kingdom will come without our asking for it, but the question is do we expect to be part of it. That is another aspect of faith that needs our attention today.
Jesus thank you for giving us the power of operating in Your kingdom through Your Holy Spirit. Keep us open to what you want to do today for your glory and to bring faith through these signs of healing. Amen.
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